Lost Cat

Post by **Quicksilver** » Sun Apr 03, 2005 10:54 pm

*sigh* I need some moral support. My cat ran away today. I am so torn up over it....I've never lost a pet before. I mean, I've had dogs and cats die on me, but never one that ran away. I am really sad about it. She's 14 years old and I've had her since she was a kitten. I keep my animals under close guard, and NEVER let any of them roam loose. My mom opened the door this morning to let my dog out, and she didn't shut the screen door right, and my cat went out unnoticed. My mom feels really bad about it, but I keep telling her it's not her fault. I didn't notice she was gone until about 3:00 today. We looked everywhere - my neighbors helped look around their houses and I drove in the car around the neighborhood, but I didn't see her.

I'm just worried because she's never been out alone before. She did get out one other time that I didn't know about until the next morning, but thankfully she stayed close to home and was on my porch the following day. But I just can't believe that she's nearby, because I looked all over my block and drove around....no sign of her. My mom said since it was such a nice weekend, and people out doing things in their yards, she might be hiding somewhere and tomorrow she'll come out when there's not a lot of people around.

I just don't know what to think. Everyone keeps telling me that they've had cats leave for days on end and come back eventually. But I just don't know how to feel about that because she's not an outdoor cat, and I've never experienced this before. My aunt told me that she's SURE she'll come back, because she thinks she is close by, but what if she's not, and she can't find her way back? The good news is that she's not declawed, so she can defend herself if she needs to, but still.....I am worried to death that she's gone forever.

Why did this have to happen today, of all days, on my birthday? I was having such a fabulous weekend up until this. Great way to start the new year, huh? Seems to me like every good thing that is going on in my life gets ruined by something.

I know, I know, enough of the pity party. It just makes me sad. Please cross your fingers that she comes back or is somehow found and not lost forever. Thanks for listening.

Post by **superlion** » Sun Apr 03, 2005 11:20 pm

Happy Birthday anyway, Sheila

I hope your cat comes back. At least you still live in the same place (I once lost a cat in the process of moving, it was really hard to get him back, even though he hung around the house). Good luck with that.

Post by **Jay** » Sun Apr 03, 2005 11:41 pm

Oh, my. I am sorry to hear that, Sheila, and have my fingers crossed. (Well, I had them crossed until I started typing. I hope that was good enough.) You are the happiest, most energetic person I have seen on the net. So it is a shame to have something dampen your spirits.

I have known many cats and dogs to run away for hours or days. No matter how domesticated we think they are, they still have the same wild instincts as their ancesters. Even when we want to restrain them, we can't. I've seen them go running out between the legs as someone opened a door and refuse to return. Sometimes they are afraid to come back right away because they know they should not have gone. It's not like we can catch them. I've seen their tunnels through doors and beneath fences. I've seen them make spectacular leaps (and, unfortunately, some tragic ones). Their instincts make them curious about things and they have to satisfy that curiosity. All the ones that I knew, eventually returned. We can only hope that will be the case here.

Since there isn't anything you can do about it, I hope you can find a way to enjoy the rest of the night. Life is tough and we must cherish the things that are good.

phantom · Post by **phantom** » Mon Apr 04, 2005 12:14 am

Our prayers are with you for the safe return of your cat. Hopefully the cat will return to the house. But Sheila, don't EVER give up hope. I saw this show on Animal Planet where these people lost their cat and it was found like over 10 years later.(thanks to an implanted I.D. chip which I recommend for every pet) just don't give up hope. Keep us updated. We are here with support for you.

Post by **Quicksilver** » Mon Apr 04, 2005 8:57 am

Thank you so much SL, Jay and phantom for your nice words. It means a lot to me for you guys to say such nice things.

The food I left out last night was untouched and there was no sign of her this morning. I read online after I posted last night that indoor cats who get lost outside might just be hiding and too scared to come out for a while. I hope that is the case, that she's hiding somewhere she feels safe and will come out soon. My mind just keeps being pessimistic and thinking about the bad things....I can't be like that! I just have to remember that cats are smarter than we sometimes give them credit for. And she really was an untamed spirit....she always had a desire to be outside and roaming, just as she was when we found her. I guess if this had to happen, I'm glad it was her and not my dog or my other cat, because they are not "street savvy" at all, whereas I think this cat is probably the smartest one of the bunch.

Thank you again - the kind words really help.

Post by **Quicksilver** » Tue Apr 05, 2005 11:10 pm

SHE'S BEEN FOUND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Minnie is back, Minnie is back!!! You guys are all gonna laugh when you hear this. She was not really "lost" at all. She was here the whole time. My mom stayed with me this weekend and I had her park in the garage. Sunday morning she went down to get something out of her car and Minnie must have gone out the basement door.

Well, we looked in there and called out her name, but she didn't respond on Sunday. So this afternoon when I got home from work I found a pile of kitty poo on the garage floor. I called her again but no response. So I went upstairs thinking it must have just been old or something. Well after a couple minutes I went down to check it out again, and the poo was definitely still...erm...mushy...so I knew it had to be fresh. Well I looked behind some boxes and junk I have in the garage and there she was!!!!!!!!!!!! I don't know why she never came out the times we looked, but she was in there!!! She must have been so scared of the garage door opener and the sounds of the cars going in and out that she must have just hunkered down and been too scared to move.

So anyway, she's back and now for once I can sleep, and eat. I have not been able to do either since she went missing.

Thank you all for keeping me in your thoughts and again for the words of encouragement! I'm so glad she's ok.

Post by **superlion** » Tue Apr 05, 2005 11:41 pm

Aww yay! It's good to hear a happy ending

Post by **Jay** » Tue Apr 05, 2005 11:46 pm

Yes, that is GREAT to hear, sheila. Thanks for keeping us updated. All I can think of saying is that old Disney film title: "That Darn Cat".

phantom · Post by **phantom** » Wed Apr 06, 2005 2:12 am

Let this be a lesson to us all: Never give up hope. Anything can happen. Sheila, I'm so happy Minnie was found safe and sound. I was checking in every day to hear the good ending and I'm glad it happened.

Post by **jwa1107** » Wed Apr 06, 2005 8:12 am

WHOOO HOOOO!!!!!!!!

great news!

Post by **Quicksilver** » Wed Apr 06, 2005 10:28 am

phantom wrote: Let this be a lesson to us all: Never give up hope. Anything can happen. Sheila, I'm so happy Minnie was found safe and sound. I was checking in every day to hear the good ending and I'm glad it happened.

That is so true. Never give up hope!

It has been an emotional roller coaster. I am just so glad that it turned out ok.

(tears of joy!!!)